DEL MAR, Calif. (July 20, 2022) — Sassyserb is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Osunitas Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar. Sassyserb is by Circumference, out of the Rock Hard Ten mare Incredible Ten, was bred by John and Allegra Ernst and is trained by George Papaprodromou. Sassyserb has four wins in 19 starts, earnings of $239,395 and is coming off a second in the May 28 Fran’s Valentine. ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (July 20, 3022) — Royal ‘n Rando is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $100,000 Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds on the Opening Day card at Del Mar. Royal ‘n Rando is by Tamarando, out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. He has five wins in 13 starts, earnings of $157,628 and is coming off a win in a July 1 optional claimer. ...

GRAND PRAIRIE, Tex. (July 10, 2022) – Straight Luck is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $150,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity for 2-year-olds at Lone Star Park. Straight Luck is by Straight Fire, out of the Excellent Art mare Luckfromabove, was bred by LNJ Foxwoods, is owned by Texas Thoroughbred Racing Club, Ronnie Bruce and Ryan Duffy and is trained by Danny Pish. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $26,180 and is coming off a June 25 maiden win. ...

GRAND PRAIRIE, Tex. (July 10, 2022) – Stakes winner Popular Kid is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Texas Turf Classic Stakes at Lone Star Park. Popular Kid is by Popular, out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Supreme, was bred by Rod and Lorraine Rodriguez, is owned by George Sharp and trained by Shawn Davis. He has 15 wins in 67 starts, earnings of $701,345 and is coming off a second in a June 16 optional claimer. ...

From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (July 9, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, July 14, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Del Mar Hilton. The Medication, Safety, and Welfare Committee will meet the previous day, Wednesday, July 13, beginning at 12 p.m., also at the Hilton. These meetings will be open to the public. Those providing unsolicited public comment on individual agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda items. Note that for agenda item #12 of the Board meeting and item #5 of the committee meeting, Public Comment, no further comments will be permitted after 30 minutes. For those who do not attend, the webcast audio link on the CHRB website will provide a way for the public to listen to these meetings. The agenda and package of materials for the Board meeting and the agenda and package of materials for the committee meeting are available on the CHRB website. ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 15, 2022) – California-breds Crystal Bandit, Mr. Mischief and Smoken Shadow are entered in $50,000 Irish Day Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs. Crystal Bandit is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Marino Marini mare Fullofcuteness, was bred by West 12 Ranch, is owned by Cameron McVay and trained by Shannon Simpson. The $1,000 purchase at the CTBA January Sale has one win in eight starts, earnings of $29,954 and is coming off a fifth in a June 12 optional claimer. Mr. Mischief is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Vronsky mare Khun Dots Varon, was bred by Bill Delia and Dr. Kim Kuhlmann and is owned by trainer Sergio Perez. He has two wins in four starts, earnings of $19,425 and is coming off a fourth in a July 3 optional claimer. Smoken Shadow is by shaman Ghost, out of the Smoke Glacken mare One Smokin’ Lady, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Kenneth or Vicki Jo Elison and... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (July 6, 2022) – Owned by breeder J. Paul Reddam’s Reddam Racing LLC and trained by Doug O’Neill, California-bred Slow Down Andy will try to accomplish something Saturday at Los Alamitos no other horse has. The upset winner of the Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity during the 2021 Winter meet, the Nyquist colt out of the Square Eddie mare Edwina E will try to become the first thoroughbred to capture both the Futurity and the Los Alamitos Derby. Scheduled for 1 1/8 miles, the $125,000-guaranteed Derby, which will be run for the ninth time Saturday, attracted four other 3-year-olds. It will be run as the last of nine races on the next-to-last day of the Los Angeles County Fair meet. Post time is 2 p.m. and scheduled post time for the Derby is 5:58 p.m. In two races since defeating heavily-favored Messier in the Los Alamitos Futurity, Slow Down Andy finished sixth in the Grade II Risen Star at the Fair Grounds, then won... ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (July 6, 2022) — Streaking Parking Permit is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Spangled Jimmy Handicap at Century Mile. Parking Permit is by James Street, out of the Eddington mare Rossi Reserve, was bred by Robert Harmon, is owned by Hurley Racing Stable and Deanna Walper and is trained by Walper. He has seven wins in 38 starts, earnings of $103,041 and has a three-race win streak. He was seventh in this race last year. ...

AUBURN, Wash. (July 7, 2022) – It’s Turbo is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s King County Express Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs. It’s Turbo is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Makors Mark mare Love Makor, was bred by Darlyne Krieg, is owned by R.E.V. Racing and is trained by Frank Lucarelli. He is a maiden making his second start. ...

By DRF.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (July 7, 2022) – Boys beware. California-bred Electric Lettuce is ready for her stakes debut in Saturday’s $75,000 Everett Nevin Stakes at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., even if it means racing against males in her second start. “This is a logical step for us, outside of waiting for the race at Del Mar,” trainer Blaine Wright said Thursday. “Let’s see what she has to offer. It’s always better to race than work.” Electric Lettuce, a Cal-bred filly owned by the Roth family’s LNJ Foxwoods stable, is well suited for the $125,000 CTBA Stakes for 2-year-old statebred fillies on Aug. 7 at Del Mar. She fits with the field for the Nevin Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs, too. The Nevin is the first stakes for juveniles in Northern California this year. By Straight Fire, Electric Lettuce won her debut at 2-5 by four lengths in a maiden special weight race for fillies at five furlongs on June 11 at Golden Gate Fields. Electric Lettuce led... ...

WILMINGTON, Del. (June 30, 2022) – California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January Sale graduate Cashing Big Checks, already a stakes winner, is entered in Wednesday’s $50,000 Peach Blossom Stakes for fillies and mares at Delaware Park. Cashing Big Checks is by Mr. Big, out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by Troy Johnson and Jagger and is trained by Jamie Ness. The $1,500 purchase at the CTBA January Sale has one win in five starts, earnings of $55,500 and is coming off a second in the June 22 Lewes Stakes. ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 29, 2022) – Eight of the nine entrants in Saturday’s $75,000 Oak Tree Sprint Stakes at the Alameda County Fair are California-breds, including stakes winner Ultimate Bango. Carolina Mia is a mare by Gallant Son, out of the Sought After mare Carolina Grande, was bred by Daehling Ranch, is owned by Ruben Arechiga and trained by Felix Rondan. She has four wins in 18 starts, earnings of $150,332 and is coming off a second in the June 11 Albany Stakes. Darnquick is by Run Brother Ron, out of the Forest Camp mare Darncat, was bred by Clifford Plum, is owned by Casey Plum and trained by Efrain Miranda. He has six wins in 27 starts, earnings of $190,933 and in his last start stumbled and lost his jockey. He was third in this race last year. Psycho Dar is by Storm Wolf, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Stormin Mon, was bred by Liberty Road Stables, is owned by Mary Tucker and trained by Samuel Calvario. He... ...

ALTOONA, Iowa (July 1, 2022) — Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Minister of Soul is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $100,000 Iowa Sprint Stakes at Prairie Meadows. Minister of Soul is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Bernstein mare Sensitive Soul, was bred by Dahlberg Farms and is owned by trainer Esteban Martinez. The $16,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has 14 wins in 41 starts, earnings of $398,710 and is coming off a fourth in the May 25 Honor The Hero Stakes. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. – Owner-breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi will try for their second stakes win of the Los Angeles County Fair meet when they send out Becca Taylor in the $200,000-guaranteed Great Lady M. Monday at Los Alamitos. A Grade II for fillies and mares – 3-year-olds & up – at 6 ½ furlongs, the Great Lady M. is the final of nine races on the special Fourth of July program. Post time is 1 p.m. and scheduled post time for the main event is 4:58 p.m. Alexander and Miyadi, who won the Bertrando Stakes for a second year in a row with Desmond Doss June 25, will see if Becca Taylor can win for the ninth time in 10 starts and pick up her second  graded victory. The talented 4-year-old daughter of Old Topper and the General Meeting mare Lady Sea captured the Grade III Desert Stormer June 4 at Santa Anita. An earner of $379,160, Becca Taylor is a nose away from... ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 29, 2022) — Four graded stakes winners, including the talented California-bred Becca Taylor, are among 15 fillies and mares nominated to the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed Great Lady M. Stakes while Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba is among 10 3-year-olds nominated to the $125,000 Los Alamitos Derby. The two races will be run for the ninth time at Los Alamitos. The Great Lady M., which is run at 6 ½ furlongs, will be offered Monday, July 4 while the Los Alamitos Derby, which goes at 1 1/8 miles, will be run Saturday, July 9. Owned by breeder Nick Alexander and trained by Steve Miyadi – who combined to win the Bertrando Stakes with Desmond Doss for a second consecutive year June 25 – Becca Taylor has won eight of nine starts and banked $379,160. A daughter of Old Topper and the General Meeting mare Lady Sax, Becca Taylor collected her first graded victory when taking the Grade III Desert Stormer June 4 at Santa... ...

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 4, 2022) – Fowler Blue, who scratched out of last Saturday’s $200,000 American Derby for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs, is the lone California-bred entered in this Saturday’s $300,000 Grade III Indiana Derby for 3-year-olds at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Fowler Blue is by Curlin to Mischief, out of the Unusual Heat mare Roses for Joni, was bred by William Branch & Arnold Hill, is owned by Branch and trained by Doug O’Neill. He has two wins in 11 starts, earnings of $107,684 and is coming off a sixth in the May 30 Texas Derby. ...

VANCOUVER, B.C. (June 26, 2022) – California-bred Ms. Stanford takes on the boys in Friday’s $50,000 Spaghetti Mouse Stakes for 2-year-olds at Hastings Racecourse. Ms. Stanford is by Stanford, out of the Free At Last mare Freeliena, was bred by owner Mauro Comensoli and is trained by Dino Condilenios. She is a maiden making her second start with earnings of $1,535. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 22, 2022) — A 6-year-old son of Grazen owned and bred by Nick Alexander, Desmond Doss will try to defend his title in the one-mile Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Los Alamitos on Saturday, Opening Day of the Los Angeles County Fair meet. Trained by Steve Miyadi, the gray, who is out of the Malek mare Malley Girl, won the 2021 renewal by a half-length over longshot Tom’s Surprise. If Desmond Doss is successful Saturday, he will join Soi Phet as the only two-time winner of the race. Soi Phet won the inaugural Bertrando in 2014 and scored again in 2018. No worse than third in four starts at the Bertrando distance, Desmond Doss, who comes off a victory in the Thor’s Echo May 28 at Santa Anita in his 2022 debut, has won six of 18 and banked $361,141. Alexander and Miyadi also entered Johnny Podres. The 5-year-old son of  Grazen and the Harlan’s Holiday mare Malibu Holiday is 3-for-22... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 22, 2022) – California-breds Tam’s Little Angel, Misty Cat, La Vikina and Reiwa are entered in Saturday’s $75,000 She’s a Tiger Stakes for fillies and mares at the Alameda County Fair. Tam’s Little Angel is by Tamarando, out of the Lucky Pulpit mare Angel Diane, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Steve Specht. She has three wins in nine starts, earnings of $110,972 and is coming off a win in a May 22 optional claimer. Misty Cat is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Bob and John mare Play Misty for Us, was bred by BKB Stables and is owned by trainer Daniel Franko. She has three wins in 29 starts, earnings of $120,698 and is coming off a seventh in a June 10 optional claimer. La Vikina is by Many Rivers, out of the Roman Ruler mare Roman Angel, was bred by owner Julio Enciso and is trained by Isidro Tamayo. She has four wins in 17 starts, earnings... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (June 23, 2022) – Two-time winner of the race Ima Happy Cat, fellow stakes winner Daffodil Sweet and fellow California-bred Maybe I Will are entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Hastings Stakes for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs. Ima Happy Cat is by is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Wekiva Springs mare Infernal McGoon, was bred by Dale Mahlum, is owned by Sue & Tim Spooner and trained by Dan Markle. She has 10 wins in 34 starts, earnings of $318,239 and is coming off a win in a May 22 optional claimer. She won this race last year and in 2019. Daffodil Sweet is by is by Ministers Wild Cat, out of the Lion Heart mare Easy On My Heart, was bred by Michael Terry, is owned by One Horse Will Do Corp., Chris Stenslie and Mutiny Bay Backstretch and is trained by Niccolo Trojani. She has nine wins in 16 starts, earnings of $177,171 and is coming off a second in a June 12 optional claimer.... ...

AUBURN, Wash. (June 23, 2022) – Windribbon is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Budweiser Stakes at Emerald Downs. Windribbon is by Sway Away, out of the Grand Reward mare Jumanah, was bred by owner Seamist Racing and is trained by Blaine Wright. He has four wins in 15 starts, earnings of $101,420 and is coming off a third in a May 28 optional claimer. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 18, 2022) –Defending champion Desmond Doss tops the nominees to the $100,000-guaranteed Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Los Alamitos. The one-mile race for 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California will be run Saturday, June 25, opening day of the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The nine-day LACF season will continue through Sunday, July 10. Owned by breeder Nick Alexander and trained by Steve Miyadi, Desmond Doss defeated Tom’s Surprise by a half-length to win the 2021 Bertrando last June 26. A 6-year-old son of Grazen and the Malek mare Malley Girl, Desmond Doss has won six of 18 and earned $361,341. Desmond Doss will try to become the second double winner of the Betrando. Soi Phet won the inaugural running in 2014 and scored again in 2018. Miyadi also nominated Johnny Podres and Claim of Passion. Clayton Delaney, who broke his maiden for Alexander and trainer Phil D’Amato during the 2020 Summer meet, was also... ...

WILMINGTON, Del. (June 20, 2022) – CTBA January Sale graduate Cashing Big Checks is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $50,000 Lewes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Delaware Park. Cashing Big Checks is by Mr. Big, out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess, was bred by George Krikorian, is owned by Troy Johnson and Jagger Inc. and is trained by Jamie Ness. The $1,500 purchase at the CTBA January Sale has one win in four starts, earnings of $45,500 and is making her first start since a seventh in the Oct. 13 White Clay Creek Stakes. She broke her maiden winning the Blue Hen Stakes last Aug. 25. ...

By DRF.com PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 15, 2022) — The Northern California fair circuit begins Friday with a four-week season at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. This year, the event will truly have a county fair atmosphere. For the first time since 2019, the Pleasanton meet will coincide with a full schedule of county fair events. The 2020 Pleasanton race meeting was held without fans because of the COVID pandemic. Last year, Pleasanton raced in the summer, but the county fair events were held in the autumn. Last autumn, customers consumed 20,000 corn dogs and more than 8,000 funnel cakes. It is anyone’s guess whether those figures will be surpassed between Friday’s start and closing day on July 10. Pleasanton is the first of five fair meetings in the northern half of the state in the summer and fall. The California State Fair in Sacramento meeting will be held from mid-July to early August, followed by the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa in early August, the Humboldt County Fair... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 15, 2022)—Unbeaten in two starts, trainer Jorge Periban’s Tom’s Regret returns to Santa Anita as she heads a field of seven juvenile fillies going five furlongs in Saturday’s $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante. Bred in California by DP Racing, Tom’s Regret was sold for a bargain $20,000 as a yearling and has now amassed earnings of $141,105.  An 11 ½ lengths first-out maiden winner versus statebred fillies at odds of 1-2 going 4 ½ furlongs on April 15, she was subsequently off as the 2-1 favorite versus males in the ungraded Kentucky Juvenile going five furlongs at Churchill Downs May 5, a race she dominated early and won by one length. Owned by Griffin Stables, LLC, Saul Carillo, Victor Flores and Eugene Zondlo, Tom’s Regret is out of the Quality Road mare Pure.  With Tyler Baze back aboard, Tom’s Regret figures to be a short price at post time. Owned and bred in California by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams, the Steve Specht-trained Rousing... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif. (June 15, 2022)—A scintillating first-out maiden winner, Paul Reddam’s homebred filly Absolutely Zero looms the horse to beat as she takes on eight males going five furlongs in Saturday’s $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Futurity at Santa Anita. Trained by Doug O’Neill, California-bred Absolutely Zero, a daughter of Reddam’s 2016 Kentucky Derby winning Nyquist, was most impressive in breaking her maiden here going 4 ½ furlongs versus five fillies by 1 ¾ lengths on May 21 as the 3-5 favorite, earning a lofty 67 Beyer Speed Figure. Out of the multiple stakes winning Square Eddie mare How About Zero, has one work since her maiden win, a half mile in 48.40 here on June 11.  By a red-hot sire and fresh off a dazzling first-out maiden score, Absolutely Zero figures to be a short price with Mario Gutierrez riding back. Trainer Steve Knapp’s California-bred Midnight Lightning, an impressive 1 ¼ length maiden winner going five furlongs in his second start on June 4, wheels back quickly with regular rider Ramon... ...

EDMONTON, Alberta (June 15, 2022) – CTBA Winter Mixed Sale graduate Addydidit is the lone California-bred entered in Friday’s $50,000 Chariot Chaser Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at Century Mile Racetrack. Addydidit is by Time to Get Even, out of the Gold Case mare Amorous Angie, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Tanner Walgenbach and is trained by James Brown. The $12,000 purchase from the CTBA Winter Mixed Sale has one win in 16 starts, earnings of $46,712 and is coming off a fourth in a June 3 optional claimer. ...

From Los Alamitos Publicity CYPRESS, Calif. (June 15, 2022) – The $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles, to be run on Opening Day Saturday, June 25, is one of three stakes worth a combined $425,000 highlighting the 2022 Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos. The nine-day season will begin Saturday, June 25 and continue through Sunday, July 10. Racing will be conducted Saturday-Sunday the first week (June 25-26), Friday-Monday (July 1-4) the middle week and Friday-Sunday (July 8-10). the final week. Post time will be 2 p.m. The richest of the stakes races is the Grade II, $200,000-guaranteed Great Lady M. Stakes. The race at 6 ½ furlongs for fillies and mares – 3-year-olds & up – will be offered Monday, July 4. The other stakes event is the $125,000 Los Alamitos Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. The Derby will be offered Saturday, July 9. Grandstand admission is $3 and $2 for seniors 62 and older. Admission to Burgart’s and Vessels Club is $10.... ...

SHAKAPEE, Minn. (June 15 2022) – Multiple stakes winner Tiger Dad is the lone California-bred entered in Wednesday’s $100,000 Dark Star Turf Sprint Stakes at Canterbury Park. Tiger Dad is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Unusual Heat mare Q T Shea, was bred by Dark Devereaux, Scott Gross & Mark Gross, is owned by Rosette Racing and trained by Robertino Diodoro. He has seven wins in 27 starts, earnings of $436,727 and is coming off a fourth in the May 25 Brooks Fields Stakes. ...

From CHRB PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 10, 2022) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct an in-person meeting on Thursday, June 16, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Off-Track Betting Facility in Pleasanton. This meeting will be open to the public. BE ADVISED: THE Health Officer of the County of Alameda requires all individuals within the County of Alameda – regardless of vaccination status or history of prior COVID-19 illness – to wear face coverings when indoors in workplaces and other indoor public settings, with limited exemptions. Those providing unsolicited public comment on individual agenda items will be limited to two minutes. Comments must relate specifically to the agenda items. Note that for agenda item #12 of the Board meeting, Public Comment, no further comments will be permitted after 30 minutes. For those who do not attend, the webcast audio link on the CHRB website will provide a way for the public to listen to these meetings. The agenda and package of materials for the meeting are available on the CHRB website. ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (June 8, 2022) – California Cup Derby winner Fast Draw Munnings is the lone California-bred entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Grade III Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Fast Draw Munnings is by Munnings, out of the Bedford Falls mare Zuzu’s Petals, was bred by Glenn Porter, is owned by Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal and is trained by Jeff Mullins. He has two wins in six starts, earnings of $181,864 and is coming off a third in a May 8 optional claimer. ...

ELMONT, N.Y. (June 7, 2022) – California-bred Leggs Galore brings a three-stakes win streak into Saturday’s $500,000 Grade I Just a Game Stakes for fillies and mares at one mile on the Belmont Park turf course. Leggs Galore is by Bayern, out of the Indian Charlie mare Cashing Tickets, was bred by owner William Sims and is trained by Phil D’Amato. Three of Leggs Galore’s four rivals in the race are trained by Chad Brown — Regal Glory, Speak of the Devil and In Italian. She has nine wins in 14 starts, earnings of $621,588 and is coming off a win in the May 21 Mizdirection. She won the Grade II Monrovia at this distance on turf at Santa Anita Mar. 5. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (June 8, 2022) – Stakes winner Ultimate Bango and defending champion Give Me the Lute are entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Albany Stakes at Golden Gate. War Games is by Cyclotron, out of the One Man Army mare Myra G, was bred by Bruce Headley, is owned by Barbara DeLima and trained by Cliff DeLima. He has seven wins in 18 starts, earnings of $173,882 and is coming off a ninth in the May 30 All American. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Big Duke is by Phantom Wildcat, out of the Orientate mare Time On My Hands, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Hesselein, Munoz, Rainford and Williams and is trained by Sergio Ledezma. The $1,200 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has five wins in 14 starts, earnings of $152,080 and is making his first start since a fifth in a Sept. 3 optional claimer. Ultimate Bango is by Uh Oh Bango, out of the Cee’s Tizzy mare Ultimate Summer, was bred by Mitchell... ...

BONSALL, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2022) – A memorial service has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 4 at San Luis Rey Training Center for that facility’s longtime general manager, Kevin Habell. The service will be held at 2 p.m. in the Thoroughbred Room. Habell, who died last November 20 at age 61, was among those honored by the Race Track Chaplaincy of America for their heroic efforts when the Lilac Fire engulfed San Luis Rey Training Center Dec. 7, 2017 and killed 46 horses. In addition to his role at San Luis Rey, Habell served for nearly three decades as the stable manager for the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Del Mar and Northern California Yearling Sales.   ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 1, 2022)—A nose shy of being unbeaten in eight starts, three of them stakes, Nick Alexander’s homebred Becca Taylor tries graded stakes competition for the first time as she returns to Santa Anita to head Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Desert Stormer Stakes as five fillies and mares three and up go six furlongs. Trained by Steve Miyadi, California-bred Becca Taylor, who was second, beaten a nose two starts back in the Irish O’Brien Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course, ventured to Golden Gate Fields on May 7, where she pressed the pace and posted a one length allowance victory going six furlongs on synthetic Tapeta as the 1-5 favorite. A 1 ¼-length winner of the statebred Spring Fever Stakes at six furlongs on dirt three starts back Feb. 21, Becca Taylor is unbeaten in three tries on dirt, two of them in statebred stakes at Santa Anita. A 4-year-old filly by Old Topper out of the General Meeting mare Lady... ...

ARCADIA, Calif. (May 27, 2022) – Stakes winner Eddie’s New Dream is the lone California-bred entered in Monday’s $400,000 Grade I Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Eddie’s New Dream is by Square Eddie, out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, was bred by owner Reddam Racing and is trained by Ben Cecil. She has five wins in 14 starts, earnings of $366,760 and is coming off a second in the May 1 Wilshire. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 27, 2022) – Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Freeport Joe is one of six California-breds entered in Monday’s $100,000 All American Stakes at Golden Gate. Graded winner Freeport Joe is by English Channel, out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Winds of March, was bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, is owned by Larry Odbert and trained by Gloria Haley. The $2,000 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has six wins in 17 starts, earnings of $195,824 and is coming off a seventh in the Apr. 30 San Francisco Mile. Stakes winner American Farmer is by Bluegrass Cat, out of the Quiet American mare Farmers Wife, was bred by BKB Stables, is owned by BKB Stables or Sherman and is trained by Steve Sherman. He has four wins in 25 starts, earnings of $214,134 and is coming off a fourth in a May 1 allowance. Jamming Eddy is by Square Eddie, out of the Tapit mare Walkingonadream, was bred by Reddam Racing, is owned by Boardshorts Stables or... ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 27, 2022) – A California-bred quintet lines up in Sunday’s $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds at Golden Gate. Highland Ghost is by Shaman Ghost, out of the Include mare Wee Highland Lass, was bred by owner Highland Yard and is trained by O.J. Jauregui. He has three wins in 11 starts, earnings of $123,450 and is coming off a second in the May 1 Silky Sullivan. Northern California Yearling Sale graduate Meetmeattheclub is by Clubhouse Ride, out of the Slew’s Tiznow mare Lizzy’s Tizgirl, was bred by Dana Rocheford and is owned by trainer Daniel Franko. The $1,200 purchase at the Northern California Yearling Sale has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $54,350 and is coming off a second in a May 7 optional claimer. Will Is Chill is by Frosted, out of the Rockport Harbor mare Harbor Mist, was bred by Thomas Bachman, is owned by Lucas Downs and is trained by Jonathan Wong. He has two wins in eight starts, earnings of $33,650 and... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2022)—Alfred Pais’ brilliantly fast Brickyard Ride seeks his fifth consecutive stakes victory as he heads a field of six older horses going seven furlongs in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Craig Lewis, Brickyard Ride, a 5-year-old California-bred horse by Clubhouse Ride, has been nothing short of sensational at the current meet, winning four stakes in a row, his most recent triumph coming at 6 ½ furlongs in the Grade III Kona Gold, a race he took by 2 ¼ lengths while earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. Accomplished in customary gate to wire fashion, his win in the Kona Gold also marked the fourth consecutive time that Brickyard Ride has been dispatched as the betting favorite, his last three wins as the odds-on choice. Off at 2-5 in the Kona Gold with regular rider Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride carved out splits of 21.95, 44.10 and 1:08.45, finishing up 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.07. “He’s pretty fast,”... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 26, 2022) — A two-time stakes winner at Golden Gate Fields, the Steve Specht-trained Ellamira is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Grade III Honeymoon Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. Allamira rallied for a solid one length win going a mile on grass in the restricted Campanile Stakes on May 1 and will hope for a lively pace Sunday with Frank Alvarado riding her back. A California-bred filly by Street Boss out of the Ghostzapper mare Tuedays With P, Ellamira is owned by her breeder, Cole Ranch Partners, LP and will be making her third start on the Santa Anita turf, having run a pair of credible fourths in both the Grade III Sweet Life Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside Feb. 12 and in the Cal Cup Oaks at one mile on turf four starts back on Jan. 15.  With three wins and a second from eight starts, she has earnings of $136,806.   THE GRADE III HONEYMOON... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 27, 2022) — Since heading downhill, Burnin Turf has been going up. Burnin Turf, a 6-year-old California-bred gelding, has found Santa Anita’s downhill turf course to be ideal for his style. He’s won two straight on the unique layout, part of a three-race win streak that began in January, and he’ll try to improve on those numbers Sunday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Daytona Stakes for older turf sprinters. Six are entered in the Daytona, which is run at about 6 1/2 furlongs. It goes as race 3 on the nine-race card. Burnin Turf, a son of Acclamation, will be making his stakes debut in the Daytona, but he comes into the race in peak form. He won a first-level allowance in March and a second-level allowance in April, earning Beyer Speed Figures of 96 and 95, respectively, the best two numbers of his career. “He seems like he can run against a lot better competition down the hill,” his trainer, Dan Blacker, said Friday... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2022)—KMN Racing’s homebred Smuggler’s Run, fresh off a sprint stakes victory on dirt, will transition to turf and stretch out to a mile and one eighth as he heads a field of six sophomores in Saturday’s $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes at Santa Anita. The Snow Chief is one of five statebred stakes on California Gold Rush Day that are part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. An impressive 2 ¾ length winner of the Echo Eddie Stakes going 6 ½ furlongs here on April 9, Smuggler’s Run, a 3-year-old gelding by Straight Fire out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Maddie’s Odyssey, will be making his first start for John Sadler, as he’d been with trainer Richard Baltas for his last four starts, three of them turf sprints. A first-out Cal-bred maiden winner going six furlongs for trainer Ruben Alvarado Jan. 1, Smuggler’s Run is the leading money earner in the field with $190,040 and has an... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2022)—George Krikorian’s homebred Big Switch, a statebred stakes winner at two, heads a field of six sophomore fillies going a mile and one sixteenth in Saturday’s $150,000 Melair Stakes at Santa Anita. The Melair is one of five statebred stakes on California Gold Rush Day that are part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses.        A California-bred stakes winner in her second start, Big Switch, who will also be stretching out for the first time, rates a huge chance in what will be her fifth career start for John Sadler.  By hot sire Mr. Big out of the Malibu Moon mare Two Faced Moon, Big Switch has been idle since running fifth, beaten 3 ¼ lengths in an open allowance at 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf on Feb. 25.  A filly of considerable promise, Big Switch tried the deep waters of the Grade II Santa Ynez Stakes following her win in the Golden State Juvenile... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2022)—A gem of consistency sprinting, Nick Alexander’s homebred Alice Marble heads a field of seven fillies and mares three and up going one mile on turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita. The Fran’s Valentine is one of five statebred stakes on California Gold Rush Day that are part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Fresh off three outstanding turf sprints, Alice Marble was most recently second, beaten a half length in the Grade II Monrovia Stakes going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf on April 9.  A winner of the restricted Wishing Well Stakes two starts back on Feb. 26, she’ll be ridden for the first time by Juan Hernandez. A 5-year-old mare by Grazen out of the More Than Ready mare Unsung Heroine, Alice Marble will likely be on the lead or close to it in what will be her 11th career start.  With four wins, two seconds and a third... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity  ARCADIA, Calif, (May 25. 2022)—Hronis Racing’s venerable 6-year-old Loud Mouth will transition to turf as he heads a field of six 3-year-olds and up going a flat mile in Saturday’s $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes at Santa Anita. The Crystal Water is one of five statebred stakes on California Gold Rush Day that are part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. A two-time stakes winner versus statebreds on dirt, Loud Mouth, who was bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and claimed for $80,000 on Dec. 31, will be making his fourth start for John Sadler on Saturday.  Most recently third in an open second condition allowance at one mile May 8, Loud Mouth was an impressive 3 ½ length winner going one mile on dirt in an open first condition allowance two starts back on March 19. With Umberto Rispoli engaged to ride for the first time, Loud Mouth, who is one for six on grass, has shown a world of... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2022)—Fresh off what may’ve been the best race of his career, trainer Mike Puype’s veteran 7-year-old gelding Tigre Di Slugo heads a field of five 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs in Saturday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes at Santa Anita. The Thor’s Echo is one of five statebred stakes on California Gold Rush Day that are part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired horses. Idle a year and six days, Tigre Di Slugo ran a huge second, beaten 2 ¼ lengths by top sprinter Brickyard Ride in the Grade III Kona Gold Stakes going 6 ½ furlongs here on April 30, earning a career-top 94 Beyer Speed Figure. A 7-year-old gelding by Smiling Tiger out of the Williamstown mare Erica’s Smile, Tigre Di Slugo was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds and is owned by Slugo Racing, Tiger Racing, Inc. and Mike Puype.  Lightly raced, he has an overall mark of 9-3-3-1 with earnings of $215,390.  Although he’s been... ...

GRAND PRAIRIE, Tex. (May 23, 2022) – Popular Kid is the lone California-bred entered in Sunday’s $400,000 Grade III Steve Sexton Mile Stakes at Lone Star Park. Popular Kid is by Popular, out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Supreme, was bred by Rod and Lorraine Rodriquez, is owned by George Sharp and trained by Shawn Davis. He has 15 wins in 65 starts, earnings of $671,514 and is coming off a second in an Apr. 30 allowance. ...